“I don’t see why we shouldn’t since we’ve been asked. Come along, Jane,” he said, taking her hand. “I’ll be proud to make you my bride.”
“Annalise, how about you and Ty joining us?” Mead asked.
Ty stood up, his hat in his hand, and replied.
“Sorry, I took Annalise to Topeka two days ago. I couldn’t wait any longer,” he added, grinning.
“Congratulations to you both,” Callie Mae called out.
“Well Reverend Simms, I guess that’s it,” Mead chuckled once everyone was before the altar.
“Now wait just a minute,” Emma Whittaker said, coming to her feet. “I’m pleased as punch that Laurie finally said yes, and I’m gonna have some grandchildren,” she began, herding Laurie’s boys to her pew. “However, I know that these young ladies will hold the memory of their wedding day in their hearts forever. Brides like to get all fancied up special, and I wouldn’t want any of them to feel they were cheated.”
Affirmative comments came from women scattered throughout the congregation.
“Yes.”
“I should say so.”
“Emma is right. They should have the choice.”
“Miss Laurie, are you happy to be married just as you are today?”
“Yes, Mother Whittaker, I do believe I am,” she acknowledged. “I don’t think being dressed up is as important as the love your husband carries in his heart for you.”
“That’s a good way to think of it, my dear. I knew I’d love you. How about you, Jane? Are you happy to be wedding your Horace today?”
“I am, Mrs. Whittaker. I’ve been waiting for him to stop dragging his feet,” she quipped cheekily, much to Horace’s embarrassment, which had him pulling at his collar. “Besides, I think we’re all wearing our best.”
“And you, Marilee, are you sure you don’t mind sharing this special day?”
“I love these women, every one of them and there’s no one I’d rather share it with, although I am sorry Ty got Annalise to jump the gun,” she replied with a giggle.
“Oh, me too,” Annalise cried out, slapping Ty’s arm. “I told you we should have waited until after Marilee’s wedding.”
“Fancy, I’m sorry you didn’t find a man you could love enough to marry,” Marilee offered, a bit downhearted.
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” Fancy insisted as she stood up. “I’d rather be the woman other women worry about,” she continued with an audacious wink. “Besides, I’ll be off to Nevada, and I’m sure to have a passel of nieces and nephews when I return for a visit one day. You are all like sisters to me, and I’m so very happy for you,” she concluded, blowing a kiss.
Reverend Simms rubbed his hands together.
“Now, if we’re all ready, we can begin.”
“Just one moment,” Morgan interrupted, placing his hand on Mead’s shoulder. “I’m proud to be your witness, but it seems to me that you have plenty,” he teased. “So, if you and Marilee don’t mind, Callie Mae and I will sit down and enjoy. We’ll be happy to sign any documents afterward.”
Mead shook his brother’s hand and nodded.
“Well, then,” Reverend Simms said, grinning. “I do believe this is the first time I’ve ever married more than one couple at a time, so I’ll make this short and sweet. Shall we begin with a prayer?”
Every head bowed as he asked the Lord to bless the couples before him.
“Mead, Matthew, and Horace, do you take Marilee, Laurie, and Jane to be your wedded wives? Do you promise to love, honor, and keep them in sickness and in health, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live?”
“We do,” they replied in unison.
“Marilee, Laurie, and Jane, do you promise to love, honor, and obey your husbands, keeping them in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?”
“We do,” the ladies answered softly.
